Last updated on 6 June 2018

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I know what you’re thinking: “Anjali, you’ve already been to Hobbiton! Why are you going again?”

Well, my friends, because I can. And also because a friend from the UK is over and when one is in New Zealand for the first time, one must go to Hobbiton.

We left early in the morning and headed down to Matamata, about 2 hours away, for a wonderful day in Middle Earth. I was super excited even though I had already walked through Hobbiton before and been amazed at everything. Let me tell you, it’s just as amazing the second time. Here are some things that I learnt.

The details of Hobbiton

My first trip to Hobbiton I was ecstatic. It was seriously one of the most exciting days of the year, and I couldn’t take everything in. I was also incredibly click-happy with my camera, so wasn’t soaking in as much as I could have been. The second time around, however, I only took pictures of the new things that I noticed. As we wandered down the gravel paths and crouched in front of circular Hobbit hole doors, I found myself noticing things that I hadn’t the first time around. Perhaps some of the things had changed a little – I was 18 months ago that I was there previously – or perhaps I was just too excited to notice last time. Either way, I only snapped things that I knew I hadn’t seen the last time, and it made for a more enjoyable tour.

The enabler of Hobbiton

My first trip to Hobbiton was with friends who had already been. They were excited at how excited I was, and they were looking forward to me seeing Bagend and Bagshot row for the first time. This time around, I was them. I was the experienced Hobbiton-goer, taking a friend around for her first time, and it was rather enjoyable to see someone else so looking forward to the tour.

The guide of Hobbiton

A different time and a different day means a different tour guide. It’s neat to see someone else take the same tour, but give different insights to the movies, the books, the characters, the actors and the set. While the majority of the things he told us I already knew – both from the last tour, and from general ‘I must learnt everything about LOTR and The Hobbit as I can’ – but there were a few things that I didn’t know, which was definitely refreshing.

Bonus: the gift shop of Hobbiton

You can’t spend time at The Shire’s Rest and not enjoy browsing the Lord of the Rings merchandise. While I didn’t buy anything – the awesome map I wanted was sold out – they had different items for sale this time around, including a Pop Vinyl Figure (you guys know how much I like them!), some hilarious elf ears, and an amazing felt full size Gandalf hat. If I had that much money, you know I would buy that.

This trip we didn’t do the Green Dragon Meal, but that definitely didn’t take away from the whole experience. The gardens were looking fierce and the gardeners were out tending to the plants. The trees were just starting to turn, as winter approaches here in Middle Earth. Stepping into Hobbiton in both Spring and Autumn were both great times to visit.

So was it worth paying the money and going to Hobbiton for a second time? Heck yes.

Would I do it again? Heck yes.

How many times have you been to Hobbiton?